Yesterday, the first chickadee showed up. This morning, they were lined up, taking turns.
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| Chickadee and feeder. The best I could do with fog, poor light, and through glass and a sheet of plastic for winter insulation. |
When I've had feeders like this before, they were hanging only a metre or so from my window, where I could sneak up and take photos from behind a curtain; this one is all the way across the yard, in a tangle of branches. I'm thinking of installing a hanging pole much closer to the window.
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| Three starlings. The rest are waiting on a wire overhead. |
Juncos don't usually use the spinning feeder; most are too clumsy to grab the perch as it flies by. The suet is there to cater to their needs, but with the starling invasion, all they get are the crumbs that the starlings let fall. Luckily, the starlings are messy eaters!
A sparrow was at the feeder today; they do fine as long as it's moving slowly. (The chickadees send it spinning at a great rate with their angled landings and takeoffs.)
I'm hoping to attract nuthatches and finches. Spilled black-oil sunflower seeds may bring in other birds, as well.
Now, how do I discourage starlings, without frightening off all the other birds?
(Is anyone interested in the instructions for making these chickadee feeders? Let me know, and I'll post them.)
